Collapsible shelter for mounting on a transportation vehicle

ABSTRACT

A collapsible shelter is mountable on a transportation vehicle and is carried by the vehicle. The shelter includes a rigid receptacle for holding equipment, including a mattress or sleeping bags. A top is fixed to the receptacle, and a bow is hingedly connected to the receptacle for selectively raising and supporting the top. The bow is articulated to allow the bow to be bent when raising or lowering the top, but is then locked in an extended position to hold the top in a raised attitude. A pair of posts is also connected to the receptacle for supporting the receptacle when the receptacle is mounted on a vehicle in such a manner that the center of support does not coincide with the center of gravity of the shelter. The shelter also has a platform attached to the receptacle, which platform has self-storing feet.

United States Patent Franzen Jan. 23, 1973 COLLAPSIBLE SHELTER FOR MOUNTING ON A TRANSPORTATION VEHICLE Erwin F. Franzen, 3673 Randolph Street, Lansing, 111. 60438 Filed: March 31, 1971 App]. No.: 129,924

Inventor:

Related US. Application Data Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 36,709, May 13, 1970, abandoned.

[52] 11.8. CI. ..l35/1 A, 135/4 A [51] Int. Cl. ..B60p 3/34 [58] Field of Search ..135/l A, 4 A

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,930,051 3/1960 Kampmeier ..l35/l A X 3,028,609 4/1962 Tolf ..l35/l A 2,937,651 5/1960 Vantassel ..l35/4 A 2,942,609 6/1960 Ferguson ..l35/l A FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 489,438 l/l954 Italy ..l35/4 A Primary Examiner-J. Karl Bell Att0rneyStone, Zummer & Aubel [57] ABSTRACT A collapsible shelter is mountable on a transportation vehicle and is carried by the vehicle. The shelter includes a rigid receptacle for holding equipment, including a mattress or sleeping bags. A top is fixed to the receptacle, and a bow is hingedly connected to the receptacle for selectively raising and supporting the top. The bow is articulated to allow the bow to be bent when raising or lowering the top, but is then locked in an extended position to hold the top in a raised attitude. A pair of posts is also connected to the receptacle for supporting the receptacle when the receptacle is mounted on a vehicle in such a manner that the center of support does not coincide with the center of gravity of the shelter. The shelter also has a platform attached to the receptacle, which platform has self-storing feet.

2 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJAHZB I973 3.712.315

SHEET 2 0F 3 'INVE/VTO/P. ERWl/V E FRANZEN Attorneys PATENTEDJAH 23 I975 SHEET 3 OF 3 FIG. I2

INVENTOR: ERW/N E FRA/VZEN flan 7% XW Attorneys COLLAPSIBLE SHELTER FOR MOUNTING ON A TRANSPORTATION VEHICLE CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This is a continuation-in-part of US. Pat. application Ser. No. 36,709, filed May 13, I970, entitled COL- LAPSIBLE SHELTER FOR MOUNTING ON A TRANSPORTATION DEVICE now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A collapsible shelter particularly adapted for mounting on a vehicle is disclosed in the parent application above identified. Although the collapsible shelter disclosed in the above-identified patent application operates in a satisfactory manner, it is necessary for the operator to get outside the shelter in order to secure the sides of the shelter to the receptacle after the top has been raised. This operation may be done with a great deal of facility; however, certain discomforts are encountered by the operator when it is raining or the weather is otherwise inclement.

The collapsible shelter disclosed in the parent patent application is easily mounted on a motor vehicle. It is readily apparent that, in certain instances, it is difficult to mount the shelter on a vehicle, especially a motor vehicle having a short body, in an attitude wherein the center of support and the center of gravity are coincidental. Thus, the shelter may be damaged if a load is applied to the receptacle at an unbalanced portion thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is an improved collapsible shelter which is readily mounted on a transportation vehicle. The instant collapsible shelter provides an improvement over the heretofore disclosed shelter in that the top of the shelter has three edges secured to a receptacle. This arrangement allows the operator of the shelter quickly to raise and lower the top without getting outside of the shelter. The specific construction, which allows the improved manipulation, is a bow which has articulated legs. The bow provides the support for holding the top above the receptacle, and the bow is bent slightly when raising or lowering the bow to allow the bow to be positioned above the receptacle and hold the top above the receptacle.

When the collapsible shelter is mounted on an automobile having a short body, the collapsible shelter is provided with outrigger posts which engage the ground to support one end of the shelter. The outrigger posts provide a greater degree of stability to the shelter and eliminate undue strains from being applied to the receptacle, as well as, the supporting apparatus for the receptacle.

It is a principal object of this invention to provide a collapsible shelter in which the top is secured to the receptacle on three sides, eliminating the necessity of providing releasable fasteners for securing the top to the receptacle.

It is another object of the herein-disclosed invention to provide a collapsible shelter which has an outwardlyextending post for supporting the shelter when the shelter is mounted on a vehicle wherein the center of support and the center of gravity are not coincidental.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved shelter construction wherein a cover is releasably fastened to the top to provide a substantially enclosed and sealed shelter compartment.

It is a still further object of the instant invention to provide an improved construction of a collapsible shelter utilizing a platform connected to the receptacle, which platform has self-storing feet to facilitate the storing of a platform.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a collapsible shelter which is easily and conveniently set up and collapsed.

It is a still further object of the herein-disclosed invention to provide a collapsible shelter which is simple to manufacture and may be manufactured at a low cost.

Other objects and uses of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a perusal of the following specification in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automobile with a collapsible shelter embodying the present invention mounted on the roof of the automobile and the collapsible shelter is shown in a closed or traveling attitude;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the automobile and collapsible shelter of FIG. I but showing the collapsible shelter in a raised attitude with parts of the collapsible shelter broken away in order to show better the interior construction of the shelter;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the shelter shown in FIG- 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the upper portion of the shelter shown "in FIGS. 2 and 3, with portions broken away in order to show better the construction of the shelter;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the shelter shown in FIG. 4 but showing the shelter in a partially collapsed attitude;

FIG. 6 is an end view of the shelter of FIG. 1 in a partially erected attitude, showing a ladder and outrigger posts;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on Line 77 of FIG. 6, showing the interrelationship of an axle and part of the ladder;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on Line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken on Line 9-9 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view, showing the interconnection of one of the posts with a support rod;

FIG. II is a cross-sectional view of a collapsible shelter similar to that shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, but one in which a long how has telescoping legs;

FIG. I2 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. I],

showing the articulated long bow in a telescoped attitude in order to lower the top;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the collapsible shelter of FIGS. 11 and 12, showing a stand pivotedly attached to the receptacle and showing the stand in an extended attitude;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 13, but showing the stand in a partially folded attitude;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged plan view showing a portion of the stand of FIGS. I3 and 14, showing a foot in a stored position; and

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken on Line 16-- 16, showing the foot in a stored attitude and showing the foot in an operative attitude in a phantom view.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, and especially to FIG. 2, a collapsible shelter generally indicated by numeral 20 is shown mounted on an automobile 22 by a pair of conventional mounting brackets 24. The automobile 22 in this instance has a relatively short body so that the collapsible shelter has a substantial portion overhanging the rear portion of the automobile, as may be best seen in FIG. 3. It may be appreciated that the center of gravity of the shelter is displaced toward the rear of the automobile from the center of support provided by the two mounting brackets.

The collapsible shelter 20 generally includes a mattress receptacle 26 with a mattress 28 mounted therein. A top 30 is fixed to the mattress receptacle, and a top support 32 is connected to the receptacle and selectively supports the top 30. A hinged ladder 34 is connected to the receptacle, and a pair of outrigger posts 36 is connected to the receptacle for supporting the receptacle. A removable cover 38 is fixed to the receptacle and is releasably connectable to the top 30.

The mattress receptacle 26 is molded fiberglass, though any other suitable material may be used. Receptacle 26 includes a generally rectangular flat bottom 40, which is secured to the mounting brackets 24. A pair of longitudinal side walls 42 is formed integral with side edges of the bottom, and a front end wall 44 is formed integral with the front edge of the bottom and one end of each of the side walls 42. A rear end wall 46 is formed integral with the rear edge of the bottom and with the other end of each of the longitudinal side walls 42. A pair of support walls 48 is formed integral with the bottom, and the support walls extend between the front end wall and the rear end wall parallel to the longitudinal side walls. A post recess 50 is formed in each corner of the receptacle at the junction of the rear end wall and the longitudinal side walls. The rear end wall also has a pair ofladder recesses 52.

The cover 38 is in this instance a flexible waterproof plastic sheet material. It is to be understood that any other suitable material may be used. The cover includes a rectangular top sheet 54, which has the same general size and shape as the receptacle. An apron 56 is formed integral with the outer periphery of the top sheet. One side of the apron 56 is fixed to the rear end wall 46, and the remainder of the apron 56 is releasably secured to the longitudinal side walls 42 and the front end wall 44 by conventional snaps 58. As may be seen in FIG. 1, when the shelter 20 is collapsed the cover 38 is secured to the side walls and the front end wall by the snaps to protect the interior of the receptacle. Before the top is raised, the cover is released from the side walls and the front end wall and folded downward from the receptacle, as shown in FIG. 2.

The top support 32 includes three bows, that is, a short bow 60 which is pivotedly connected to the support walls 48 adjacent to the front end wall 44, an intermediate bow 62 pivotedly connected to the support walls 48, and a long bow 64 which is pivotedly mounted on the support walls 48 adjacent to the rear end wall 46. The long how 64 includes a pair of identical articulated legs 66 and a cross-member 68. The articulated legs 66 each include a hinge 70 and a lock pin 72 for releasably locking the legs in an extended position.

The top 30 is, in this instance, made of canvas and includes a roof 74 which has one end fixed to the front end wall 44. A pair of top side panels 76 have their upper edges secured to the roof 74 and a portion of their lower edges fixed to the longitudinal side walls 42. Each of the side panels 72 has a side panel extension 78 which extends the side panel to the ground when the top is raised, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. A top rear panel 80 is sealingly secured to the roof 74 and to the side panels 76 and the extensions 78. The rear panel 80 has a door 82 formed therein, and the side panels 76 each have a screen window 84 formed therein. A split netting 85 is connected to the roof 74 and to the side panels 76 at the end of the receptacle so that that portion of 'the shelter defined by the receptacle roof 74, side panels 76 and receptacle 26 is protected by netting to prevent insects from entering that portion of the compartment which is the sleeping portion of the shelter. The side panel extension 78 snaps onto the apron 56in order to form a completely enclosed shelter for the collapsible structure in its extended portion.

The ladder 34 and the posts 36 are pivotedly connected to a hollow axle or rod 86, which is supported on the rear end wall 46 by axle brackets 88.

The ladder 34 includes a pair of ladder collars 90, which are rotatably mounted on the axle 86. Fixed to each of the ladder collars is a ladder stem 92 which extends perpendicularly from the ladder collar and is positionable in its respective ladder recess 52. An articulated side piece 94 is fixed to each of the ladder stems 92. As may be seen in FIG. 6, each of the side pieces 94 has a hinge 96 near the middle thereof. A plurality of rungs 98 are secured to the articulated side pieces, thereby forming an upper portion 100 of the ladder and a lower portion 102 which may fold over the upper portion 100 in a storing position.

The posts 36 are also identical in construction and include a post journal 104, which is rotatably and slideably mounted in the hollow axle 86. A post collar 106 is fixed to the journal 104, and a post stem 108 is perpendicularly attached to the post collar. The post also includes a staff 110 which is fixed to the stern 108 and a sleeve 112 which telescopingly receives the staff 110. The staff has a plurality of apertures I14, and the sleeve has a plurality of apertures 116. A pin 118 is removably positioned in a pair of registering apertures in the staff and sleeve to lock the staff and sleeve in an adjusted length of the post.

The shelter 20 is shown in FIG. I in a traveling attitude. As was mentioned above, the automobile 22 has a short body so that the receptacle 26 extends over the end of the body. During normal traveling, this relationship of the receptacle to the mounting brackets creates no problems. When the shelter 20 is to be erected and the automobile 22 is appropriately located, the apron 56 of cover 38 is loosened from the longitudinal side walls 42 and the front end wall 44. The cover is pulled back and dropped down over the rear of the automobile since the cover is fixed to the rear end wall 46. Next, the ladder 34 is pivoted out and the lower portion placed into engagement with the ground. The posts'34 are then pivoted upward about the axle 86 and placed in a substantially vertical position. The posts 36 are then extended outward along the axis of the axle 86 to position the posts outward of the receptacle. The posts move through their respective post recesses 50. The length of the posts is appropriately selected so that the posts are placed into engagement with the ground. It may be appreciated that the posts may be moved outward in order to accommodate the width of the automobile 22 and to have the posts exteriorally of the shelter so that the posts do not interfere with any portion of the shelter. Once the posts are in position, then the operator may climb up the ladder with a high degree of safety. It may be appreciated that without the posts providing support to the receptacle, should the receptacle 26 have a substantial overhang and an operator place his entire weight on the rear end of the receptacle, there is a likelihood of damaging either the automobile or the receptacle or the mounting brackets since the receptacle would be operating as a first-class lever, with the mounting bracket 24 adjacent to the rear end of the automobile acting as a pivot and the weight of the operator on the rear end of the receptacle being the applied force. However, the posts eliminate any possible danger since they support the overhanging portion of the receptacle.

The operator need only grasp the cross-member 68 of the long bow 64 and pull the long bow back toward the rear end, thereby raising the intermediate bow 62 and the short bow 60. The long bow is bent until the material of the roof 74 is fully extended, allowing the long bow to swing its full arc. When the roof is fully extended, the legs are straightened to bring the top taut. The lock pins 72 are then placed into position to hold the long bow in its extended attitude. The long bow extends beyond the receptacle 34 so that the side panel extensions 78 extend beyond and below the receptacle. The side panel extensions are snapped to the apron 56 of cover 38. The collapsible shelter is now in condition for use with a closed compartment.

In order to store the shelter 20, the raising procedure is reversed, that is, the side panels are disconnected from the cover, the lock pins 72 are removed from the hinges of the long bow, allowing the operator to push the top into the receptacle. Once the top is in the receptacle, the ladder 34 is pivoted into the receptacle. The post 36 are simultaneously pivoted and moved inward and then positioned in the space between the support wall 48 and the longitudinal side wall 42. The cover 38 then has the apron 56 snapped backinto position, and the shelter is completely stored. It is apparent from the foregoing description that the instant shelter may be raised and stored with a minimum of difficulty.

Referring now to FIGS. 11 through 16, another form of the collapsible shelter is shown therein. A collapsible shelter generally indicated by numeral 200 is mounted on an automobile 202, which has a rear deck lid 204. The shelter 200 is mounted on the automobile by a pair of mounting brackets 206, only one of which is shown herein. The shelter 200 generally consists of a molded fiberglass receptacle 208, a mattress 209 positioned in the receptacle, a canvas top 210 attached to the receptacle, a top support 212 connected to the receptacle and supporting the top 210, a stand 214 pivotedly connected to the receptacle, and a cover 216 fixed to one end of the receptacle.

The molded fiberglass receptacle 208, which is similar to receptacle 26, includes a flat bottom or floor 216 and a pair of longitudinal side walls 218 formed integral with the side edges of the bottom. A front end wall 220 is formed integral with thefront edge of the bottom and with one of the ends of each of the longitudinal side walls. A rear end wall 222 is formed integral with the rear edge of the bottom and with the opposite ends of each of the longitudinal side walls. A pair of support walls 224 is formed integral with the bottom and each of the supports walls 224 extends from the rear end wall to the front end wall parallel to the side walls 218.

The top 210 includes a roof 226, which has one end fixed to the front end wall 220. The top also includes a pair of side panels 228 which are sealingly fixed to the roof 226 and fixed to the respective longitudinal side walls 218. Each of the side panels 228 has an extension extending below the receptacle, which is not shown herein.

The top support 212 includes a front or short bow 230, an intermediate how 232 and a long bow 234. The short bow 230 is pivotedly connected to the support walls 224 adjacent to the front end wall 220. The long bow 234 is pivotedly connected to the support walls 224 adjacent to the rear end wall 222. The intermediate bow 212 is pivotedly connected to the support walls between the connections of the short bow and the long bow to the support walls.

The long bow includes a pair of articulated legs in which the lower portion of each leg includes a tube 236 and the upper portion of each leg is a rod 238 which is telescopically mounted in its respective tube 236. A pin 240 in each of the legs holds the rod and tube of each of the legs in a releasably locked relationship to each other.

The stand 214 includes an axle 242 which is connected to the rear end wall 222. A pair of stand arms 244 is pivotedly connected to the axle 242. A cross-bar 246 is fixed to the arms 244, as may be seen in FIG. 13. A lower axle 248 is fixed to the arms 244, and the lower axle 248 is pivotedly connected to a platform 250 by a pair of axle brackets 252. The platform 250 includes a floor 254 with a rim 256 fixed to the periphery of the floor. A pair of feet 258 is pivotedly connected to the a platform on one side thereof.

Each of the feet 258 includes a rod 260 which is fixed to the rim 256, as shown in FIG. 15. Pivotedly mounted on the rod 260 is a sleeve 262 having a slot 264 formed therein. A stop pin 266 is fixed to the rod 260 for engagement with the sleeve 262. An adjustment tube 268 is fixed perpendicularly to the sleeve 262, and a threaded post 270 is threadedly mounted in the adjustment tube 268. A pad 272 is fixed to the post 270.

In a collapsed condition, the shelter 200 looks similar to the shelter 20 of FIG. 1. In order to open the shelter 200, the cover 215 is removed from the top of the receptacle 208. The cover, which is held in engagement with the longitudinal side walls 218 and the end wall 220 by snaps, is released from those walls and folded over the rear deck lid 204 of the automobile 202. The stand 214, which is stored in the receptacle, is folded down to the attitude shown in FIG. 14. As the platform 250 is folded down toward the rear deck lid, the feet 258 fold out and engage the rear deck lid. The shelter is then raised by the operator grasping the long bow 234 and pulling the long bow forward to pull out all of the canvas from the receptacle. It may be appreciated that as the roof 226 is pulled out, it also raises the intermediate bow 232 and the short bow 230. Once all of the canvas has been raised, the operator then pushes the rods 238 out of the tubes 236 to extend the long bow 234 to its fully extended position and to make the top taut. The pins 240 then hold the legs of the long bow in the fully extended position. The roof extension 226 extends over the stand 214 so that there is provided a space for dressing or changing clothes.

In order to collapse the shelter 200, the pins 240 are loosened to telescope the rods 238 into the respective tubes 236, thereby loosening the side panels 228. The top is then folded into the receptacle and the platform 250 is folded up against the arms 244. The folding of the platform also causes the feet 258 to fold into the platform, and the platform is then pivoted about the axle 242 to be stored in the receptacle 208. The cover 215 is then pulled over the top of the receptacle and secured to the receptacle to complete storage of the shelter.

From the foregoing description, it may be readily appreciated how the instant collapsible shelter may be easily raised for use or easily collapsed for storage and travel. Although a specific embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described in detail above, it is readily apparent that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and changes in the specific construction of the device, use of specific materials and specific arrangement of parts. It is to be expressly understood that the instant invention is limited only by the appended claims, and the specific disclosure made herein is made in compliance with the existing patent laws.

What is claimed is:

l.- A collapsible shelter for mounting on a vehicle comprising, a receptacle adapted for mounting on the vehicle, a top having a portion of its edges fixed to the receptacle, a bow having a pair of legs pivotedly connected to the receptacle adjacent to one end thereof to allow a portion of the bow to extend beyond the receptacle, said bow being connected to the top to support the top beyond the receptacle, an arm having one end pivotedly connected to the receptacle, a platform pivotedly connected to the other end of the arm, and a foot pivotedly connected to the platform for supporting the platform.

2. A collapsible shelter for mounting on a vehicle comprising, a receptacle, a bow pivotedly connected to the receptacle, a top connected to the receptacle and being supportable by the bow, and a stand connected to the receptacle, said stand including an arm pivotedly connected at one end to the receptacle, a platform pivotedly connected to the other end of the arm, and a foot pivotedly connected to the platform. 

1. A collapsible shelter for mounting on a vehicle comprising, a receptacle adapted for mounting on the vehicle, a top having a portion of its edges fixed to the receptacle, a bow having a pair of legs pivotedly connected to the receptacle adjacent to one end thereof to allow a portion of the bow to extend beyond the receptacle, said bow being connected to the top to support the top beyond the receptacle, an arm having one end pivotedly connected to the receptacle, a platform pivotedly connected to the other end of the arm, and a foot pivotedly connected to the platform for supporting the platform.
 2. A collapsible shelter for mounting on a vehicle comprising, a receptacle, a bow pivotedly connected to the receptacle, a top connected to the receptacle and being supportable by the bow, and a stand connected tO the receptacle, said stand including an arm pivotedly connected at one end to the receptacle, a platform pivotedly connected to the other end of the arm, and a foot pivotedly connected to the platform. 